Trade and sustainability: Reciprocity in agri-food systems for a fair green transition

Scope and objectives

On 21 May 2025 (10:00 – 12:00 CEST), the EESC will hold an online event in the framework of its Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) on the link between trade policy and sustainability, with a particular focus on agri-food systems. 

Through panel discussions, EESC members, representatives of the European institutions and of civil society will exchange views on the role of reciprocity in achieving a fair green transition.

In particular, panellists aim to:

• Outline the role of reciprocity in EU trade agreements, especially in the agri-food context;
• Provide different perspectives in ensuring fairness, reciprocity and sustainability in trade;
• Examine how a trade policy based on fairness and common standards can effectively support the EU’s sustainability ambitions.

This event will be webstreamed freely on our website, no registration is required. Interpretation will be provided in EN, FR, DE, IT and ES.

Context

In the context of the European Green Deal and the EU’s ambition to lead on sustainable food systems globally, trade policy plays an important role. Trade agreements are more and more seen not only as economic instruments but also as key levers for environmental and social transformation. In terms of environmental, social, and food safety standards, reciprocity must be ensured to facilitate a level playing field for European producers, stimulate fair and sustainable global supply chains, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This meeting of the Sustainable Development Observatory (SDO) will explore how trade policy can drive sustainability, with a particular focus on the agri-food sector. This ties in with two key areas of the SDO work programme: sustainable food systems and healthy nutrition, as well as the global dimension of sustainable development.

In relation to sustainable food systems, the transformation of agriculture is essential to ensure food security, high-quality diets, and the continued strategic role of the agri-food sector in the green transition. This implies strengthening local food systems, adopting sustainable farming practices, and ensuring that agriculture remains a source of balanced rural and urban development. Trade policy can support (rather than undermine) these efforts – provided it is based on fairness and common standards.

At the same time, global challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental degradation call for the EU to take a leadership role in shaping sustainability-led trade relations. Civil society can play an important role here – holding actors accountable, ensuring equitable and sustainable use of resources, and highlighting spillover effects of EU trade policy on the Global South. True reciprocity, not just trade tariff symmetry but real compatibility with commitments to climate, workers' rights and human rights, becomes all the more important in an open and competitive world.

The meeting will take into account the recent publication of the European Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food upcoming changes in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027, as well as the EU’s pledge towards the transformation of international food systems – as highlighted by the UN Food Systems Summit and its follow-up actions. Policymakers, civil society, and sectoral stakeholders will exchange views regarding the potential for trade and agricultural policy to be more aligned with the EU’s sustainability ambitions.

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